Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has today opened the doors to its newest property in the Haigang District of Qinhuangdao, a small seaside city renowned for its blue waters and golden beach.
As one of China’s more popular summer destinations, Shangri-La Hotel, Qinhuangdao naturally takes prime position along Bohai Bay and is a 15-minute drive to the train station that shuttles travellers via high-speed links to Tianjin and Beijing in under two hours.
Qinhuangdao in Hebei province is where history, dating back more than 2,000 years, and the present day meet. The city bears the first Emperor of China’s name, Qin Shi Huang, and remnants of the former ruler’s Ming Great Wall. Next to the hotel are attractions such as the Olympic Centre, National Forest Park and Xin’ao Marine World. Shanhaiguan Airport is 35 minutes away by car.
The Golden Dream Bay, the city’s finest address and latest residential and entertainment zone, is home to the 23-storey hotel – a new glass building offering spectacular views all around. Inside the light-filled spaces delicate plum blossoms, found naturally in Qinhuangdao, artistically bloom and the fragrant flowers can be seen as art and intricate light installations, woven in to carpet patterns and embellishing headboards in the guestrooms.
The wonders of nature surrounding the hotel are translated through to the use of golden tones and creams in each of the hotel’s 330 guestrooms and suites, which are the largest in the city. Spaciously sized from 45 to 135 square metres with full-length windows that look out on the seaside setting, the rooms feature a contrast of light and dark wood, a plush sofa, ample desk space, marble appointed bathroom, as well as Shangri-La amenities and conveniences. Most rooms offer a balcony overlooking Bohai Bay.
From levels 20 to 22, the Horizon Club rooms provide an even higher standard of accommodation matched by personalised service from the concierge team at the spacious Horizon Club Lounge on level 23. Here, guests can enjoy breakfast, all-day refreshments, use of the Club’s meeting facilities and sea views from the terrace. Like all Shangri-La properties worldwide, Wi-Fi is complimentary and accessible throughout all areas and in the hotel’s limousines.
Also setting standards in the city are the hotel’s wellness facilities comprising a 25-metre indoor free-form pool, fully equipped gym, Jacuzzi and spa with nine treatment rooms. Bicycle rentals allow guests the option to take a leisurely pedal on the beach path or around the waterfront neighbourhood.
Presenting a gastronomic experience of the north east, the hotel’s restaurants have paved a culinary journey to share the unique flavours of the region with diners. At Cafe Qin, theatre kitchens create an animated experience for family-style dining that serve the best buffets and á la minute dishes in the city. The restaurant leads to an outdoor area of the hotel’s garden, which seats 60 people for alfresco gatherings and has stunning sea views.
The contemporarily designed Qin Xiang Ge Chinese restaurant — accented by dark ebony panelling and maroon upholstery — specialises in a combination of traditional north-eastern (Dong Bei) and Cantonese dishes, and Chinese Executive Chef Alex Guo focuses on bringing the freshest seafood to his guests. Qin Xiang Ge has 15 private rooms, half of which face Bohai Bay.
At the heart of Shangri-La Hotel, Qinhuangdao is the elegant Lobby Lounge with panoramic vistas of Bohai Bay. The sun-bathed venue is perfect for enjoying live music entertainment, light dining and afternoon tea.
On levels two and three of the hotel are eleven function rooms including a Grand Ballroom, which is the city’s largest at over 1,658 square metres and nine metres high. All meeting rooms are comprehensively equipped with the latest technology to host conferences or celebrations.
